Sheet feeding device



Fe. 26, 1945, G. A. HILEMAN ET AL I SHEET FEEDING DEVICE Filed June 6, .1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 5% Ma. a $1 fi w d mi 6M0 Feb 19456- G. A. HILEMAN. ET Al. 2,3Q5fl4fi SHEET FEEDING DEVICE Filed June 6, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 2 FEE A E N T AL SHEET FEEDING DEVIGE Filed June 6, 1944 ShfiatS-Shet 5 Patented Feb. 6, 1946 SHEET FEEDING DEVICE George A. Hileman and Mansel E. Honk, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 6, 1944, Serial No. 538,966

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a sheet feeding device and more particularly to such a device in which metallic sheets are fed in parallel lines into metal coating machines such as timing parts.

The feeding devices commonly used at present in connection with hot dip metal sheet coating machines uses magnetic rolls which are suspended in a bosh and are rotated against upright piles of sheets to be fed into the coatin machine. Usually two piles of sheets are placed in the feeder bosh by hand side by side and one sheet from each pile is picked up by the magnetic rolls and fed into each side of the coating machine simultaneously. In some instances, three rows of sheets are passed through the machine simultaneously. Normally the magnetic rolls raise one sheet at a time from each pile into a set of pinch rolls from which they are guided into other rolls and into the coating machine. Due to the shape or surface of the sheets, and at times on account of improper adjustment, the magnetic rolls will miss a sheet or may feed two sheets together. In case the sheet is missed on one side of the feeder, the sheet on the other side continues through the feeder and into the coating machine. When two sheets together are fed into one side of the feeder, they are both automatically rejected before reaching the coating machine but the single sheet on the other side of the feeder continues through the feeder alone and into the coating machine; Such feeders are disclosed in the Pool Patents Nos, 1,483,059, 1,448,711, 1,448,716 and 1,460,038.

The entrance of a sheet into the coating machine on one side only due to missed sheets or rejected doubles on the other side of the feeder is objectionable, especially in the processing of cold reduced tin plate. The sheets are passed through the coating machine through several pairs of coating rolls, which are held firmly together by spring pressure in order to carry the sheets upward through the metal bath in a steady sequence. When a single sheet passes through the coating machine, on one sid only, the rolls separate only on that side, and the surface of the sheet is subjected to an unevenly controlled pressure across its width, this causing the sheet to crimp at the edges and results in a wavy edge sheet which is also unevenly coated. This defect is especially noticeable with the better grades of drawing steel and the tempers now in use.

It is an object of our invention to provide means on multiple line feedin devices to prevent sheets irombeing fed through any one of the lines unless a sheet is simultaneousl passing through each of the other lines.

This and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings. in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the feeding device,

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the triangular I separator and associated mechanism, and

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the doubles preventor and associated mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a feeder bosh into which piles of sheets 4, one for each line, are placed. Magnetic feed rolls 6 and 8 feed the sheets from the bosh to driven pinch mils Ill and I2. In their passage from the pile to the exit rolls l0 and H, the sheets pass under guide bars M and over the guide it. In front of the rolls i0 and I2 there is a triangular separator l8 mounted on a shaft 20, which extends between the housings of the-feeder. The guide I! is provided with slots 22 to provide clearance for the separator [8. The sheets are fed from the pile in overlapped relationship and when sheet A strikes separator 18, it causes the separator to revolve onethird of a revolution to pass the sheet after-sheet B has cleared a point of the triangle. The upper roll I2 is mounted on shaft 24, which extends between the side housings of the feeder and carries half bearings 26 between the roll portions. The vposition of the half bearing 26 is controlled by means of the adjusting screw 28. Attached to the upper part of each half bearing is an arm 30 which bears against the switch point 32 which is mounted on pivot pin 3% with its center of gravity to the right of the pivot pin as shown in Figure '1. r When two or more sheets pass between the rolls rolls, as shown in Figure 1, the sheets are delivered downwardly into the tin pct 38.

The foregoing was disclosed and described in the Pool patents mentioned above and do not constitute part of our invention Our invention consists of the addition of finger :89, which extends downwardly into the path of the sheets on each feeding line. A stop bar as is welded to an arm id, which is rigidly connected to the finger MI and this assembly is pivoted on the pin it which is welded to the adjustable angle a rod 58 which is rigidly mounted on the shaft 58. The shaft 58 extends across the face of the feeder and is supported in bearings 60 mounted in brackets 62, which are fastened to an existing tie rod 64. An arm 66, mounted on shaft 58,

supports a counterweight 68 for counterbalancing the weight of the connecting rods.

The operation of the device is as follows: Sheets are moved upward from each pile 4 by the magnetic feed rolls 8 and 8 in an overlapping position. The head end of the first sheet moving through the machine contacts finger 40, I

causing it to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1, thus raising the stop bar 42 and unlocking the triangular separator l8. The

finger 40 rests on the top surface of the sheet during its passage and the sheet next contacts the triangular separator I8 and revolves it onethird of a'revolution in a clockwise direction with the succeeding edge of the separator resting on the top surface of the sheet. The separator I 8 is prevented from revolving more than one-third of a revolution for eachsheet due to the sheet being beneath it. While the first sheet is passing beneath the separator IS, the following sheet is moved forward by the magnetic feed rolls 6 and 8 until it bears on the exposed surface of the separator. As soon as the tail end of the first sheet has passed the edge of-the separator, the second sheet causes the separator to revolve another one-third revolution. However, in the event that there is no sheet immediately following the first sheet, finger 40 drops by grayity into the causing the arm 30 to raise from the switch.

point 32 and permitting its point to. drop, this delivering the sheets to the pinch rolls 36. Since allthe arms 30 are connected to shaft 58 by means of the rods 54 and 56, all switch points will drop in case multiple sheets are passing through any line, this preventing passage of sheets into the molten metal bath from one feed line and not from another. It will be seen that the combination of the two devices makes it impossible for a sheet to pass into the molten metal bath from one feed line and not from another regardless of whether the magnetic feeding device fails to deliver the sheet or delivers more v thefollowing claims.

We claim:

-1. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a pair of pinch rolls for feeding sheets to said tin pot, a rotatable triangular separator in each line on-the entry side of said pinch rolls for preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in unison, locking means for preventing rotation of said separators. and means in each line in front of said separators operable by a sheet being fed to said rolls to disengage said locking means to permit rotation of said separators and feed of said sheets to said pinch rolls when there is a sheet in each of said lines.

2. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and thelike comprising a pair of pinch rolls for feeding sheets to said tin pot, a rotatable triangular separator in each line on the entry side of said pinch rolls for preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in unison, locking means in each line for preventing rotation of said separators, and a finger in each line in front of said separator adapted to be engaged by a sheet being fed to said rolls to disengage said locking means to permit rotation of said separators and feed of said sheets to'said pinch rolls when there is a sheet in each of said lines.

3. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a pair of pinch rolls for feeding sheets to said tin pot, a rotatable triangular separator in each line on the entry side of said pinch rolls for preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in unison, a pivotally mounted finger in front of each separator, and a stop bar rigidly connected to each of said fingers, each of said stop bars normally contacting said separator to prevent rotation thereof, each of said fingers being adapted to be engaged by a sheet in the respective lines to i remove its associated stop bar from contact with its separator to permit rotation of said separators and feed of said sheets to said rolls when there is a sheet in each of said lines.

4. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a vertically movable feed roll in each line for feeding sheets to saidtin pot, means for feeding sheets to said feed rolls, a deflector member located in each line on the exit side of the feed roll, means operated by said roll for moving said deflector when multiple sheets are being fed by said roll to discharge the sheets from said line, a rotatable shaft spaced from said deflectors and extending transversely of said feed lines, and means connecting each of said deflectors to said shaft so that movement of one deflector will cause movement of the other deflectors to discharge sheets from all of the lines when multiple sheets are being fed by one of said feed rolls.

5. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a vertically movable feed roll in each line for feeding sheets to said tin pot, means for feeding sheets to said feed rolls, a deflector member located in each line on the exit side of the feed roll, means operated by said roll for moving said deflector when multiple sheets are being fed by said roll to discharge the sheets from said line, a rod connected to each of said deflectors, a second rod pivotally connected to each of said first rods, and a rotatable shaft, said second rods being rigidly mounted on said shaft so that movement of one deflector will cause movement of the other deflectors to discharage sheets from all of the lines when multiple sheets are being fed by one of said feed rolls.

6. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a. vertically movable feed roll in each line for feeding sheets to said tin pot, means for feeding sheets to said feed rolls, a rotatable triangular'separator in each line on the entry side of said feed roll for arators and feed of sheets to said feed preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in unison, means for preventing rotation of said sepsaid sheets to said rolls unless there is a sheet in each of said lines, a deflector member located in each line on the exit side of the feed roll, means operated by said roll for moving said deflector when multiple sheets are being fed by said roll to discharge the sheets from said line, and means interconnecting all of said deflectors so that they will operate in unison to discharge sheets from all of the lines when multiple sheets are being fed in any of said lines.

7. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a vertically movable feed roll in each line for feeding sheets to said tin pot, means for feeding sheets to said feed rolls, a rotatable triangular separator in each line on the entry side of said feed roll for preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in unison, means for preventing rotation of said separators and feed of said sheets to said rolls unless there is a sheet in each of said lines, a deflector member located in each line on the exit side of the feed roll, means operated by said roll for moving said deflector when multiple sheets are being fed by said roll to discharge the sheets from said line, a rod connected to each of said deflectors, a second rod pivotally connected to each of said first rods, and a rotatable shaft, said second rods being rigidly mounted on said shaft so that movement of onedeflector will cause movement of the other deflectors to discharge sheets from all of the lines when multiple sheets are being fed in any of said lines.

8. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a vertically movable feed roll in each line for feeding sheets to said tin pot, means for feeding sheets to said feed rolls, a rotatable triangular separator in each line on the entry side of said feed roll for preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in unison, locking means in each line for preventing rotation of said separators,,a finger in each line in front of said separator adapted to be engaged by a sheet being fed to said rolls to disengage said locking means to permit rotation of said separators and feed of said sheets to said rolls when there is a sheet in each of said lines, a deflector member located in' each line on the exit side of the feed roll, means operated by said roll for moving said deflector when multiple sheets are being fed by said roll to discharge the sheets from said line, and means interconnecting all of said-deflectors so that they will operate in unison to 'discha'rge' sheets from all of the lines when multiple sheets are being fed by one of said feed rolls.

9. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin-pots and the like comprising a vertically movable feed roll in each line for feeding sheets to said tin pot, means for feeding rolls, a rotatable triangular separator in each line on the entry side of said feed roll for preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in unison, locking means in each line for preventing rotation of said separators, a finger in each line rator adapted to be engaged by a sheet being fed to said rolls to disengage said locking means to permit rotation of said separators and feed of in front of said sepa- 'tion of said separators and said sheets to said rolls when there is a sheet in each of said lines, a deflector member located in each line on the exit side of the feed roll, means operated by said roll for moving said deflector when multiple sheets are being fed by said roll to discharge the sheets from said line, a rod connected to each of said deflectors, a second rod pivotally connected to each of said first rods, and a rotatable shaft, said second rods being rigidly mounted on said shaft so that movement of one deflector will cause movement of the other deflectors to discharge sheets from all of the lines when multiple sheets are being fed by one of said feed rolls.

10. A feeding device for feeding sheets in par allel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a vertically movable feed roll in each line for feeding sheets to said tin pot, means for feeding sheets to said feed rolls, a rotatable triangular separator in each line on the entry side of said feed roll for preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in'uniso'n, a pivotally mounted finger in front of each separator, a stop bar rigidly connected to each of said fingers, each of said stop bars normally contacting said separator to prevent rotation thereof, each of said fingers being adapted to be engaged by a sheet in -the respective lines to remove its associated stop bar from contact with its separator to permit rotation of said separators and feed of said sheets to said rolls when there is a sheet in each of said lines, a deflector member located in each line on the exit side of the feed roll, means operated by said roll for moving said deflector when multiple sheets are being fed by said roll to discharge the sheets from said line, and means interconnecting all of said deflectors so that they will operate in unison to discharge sheets from all of the lines when multiple sheets are being fed in any of said lines.

11. A feeding device for feeding sheets in parallel lines into tin pots and the like comprising a vertically movable feed roll in each line for feeding sheets to said tin pot, means for feeding sheets to said feed rolls, a rotatable triangular separator in each line on the entry side of said feed roll for preventing overlapped sheets from being delivered thereto, said separators being mounted to rotate in unison, a pivotally mounted finger in front of each separator, a stop bar rigidly connected to each of said fingers, each of saidstop bars normally contacting said separator to prevent rotation thereof, each of said fingers being adapted to be engaged by a sheet in the respective lines to remove its associated stop bar from contact with its separator to permit rotafeed of said sheets to said rolls when there is a sheet in each of said lines, a deflector member located in each line on the exit side of the feed roll, means operated by said roll for moving said deflector when multiple sheets are being fed by said roll to discharge the sheets from said line, a rod connected to each of said deflectors, a second rod pivotally connected to each of said first rods, and a rotatable shaft, said second rods being rigidly mounted on said shaft so that movement of one deflector will cause movement of the other deflectors to discharge sheets from all of the lines when multiple sheets are being fed by one of said feed rolls. 

